Chapter 45: Genius is Merely the Threshold to Meeting Me

The source stones in the fourth courtyard were all quite unique; not only were their colors more brilliant, but their surfaces were also covered in various patterns, possessing an indescribable ancient mystery.

Qin Sheng moved between the source stones, pausing from time to time to observe.

"The patterns are like fire snakes, thick in the middle and rounded at the ends, inward-looking... This one most likely contains a Source, and it's very likely a Variant Source."

Sources could be categorized from low to high value into several grades: Impure Ordinary Source, Pure Source, Variant Source, and Divine Source.

"This source stone has such heavy baleful aura; there must be a ferocious creature inside, though it might also be accompanied by a rare treasure. I can't be certain..."

Qin Sheng observed very carefully; after all, the cost was not low, and the stakes were even higher.

Nangong Fang was not careless either, using the entirety of his lifelong knowledge to select stones. Although he wasn't placing a bet, the reputation of a Source Art clan could not be allowed to slip.

"How much for this source stone?" Qin Sheng asked.

"Nine hundred catties of Source."

"I'll take this one." Qin Sheng settled on his first piece.

Everyone looked over simultaneously, then froze in confusion.

The source stone he had chosen was covered in holes of varying depths. The shallow ones were one thing, but the deep ones had even pierced straight through the entire stone, allowing one to see from one end to the other.

"Is that a Worm-Eaten Stone? Why would he pick a stone like that?"

"Haha, this kid looks quite talented, but it turns out he's empty-headed. He doesn't even know basic common sense, yet he dares to gamble stones with someone from a Source Art clan?"

Those in the know shook their heads one after another, expressing their inability to understand Qin Sheng's choice.

Nangong Fang gave a contemptuous smile. "The victory is already decided."

"Brother Nangong, is there some significance to the Worm-Eaten Stone?" someone asked, seeking knowledge humbly.

"Inside a Worm-Eaten Stone, there is usually a rare treasure at the start, but these types of stones are 'leaking stones.' The treasure aura is easily sensed by certain strange insects that feed on Sources," Nangong Fang explained.

"Those strange insects will bore through the source stone and crawl inside to devour the Source within. These insects are themselves Source-based creatures; the traces they leave behind make the source stone still appear to possess the signs of containing a Source."

"To those ignorant of Source Arts, it will look like a high-quality stone."

Hearing this explanation, Zhou Siyang and Bai Heming felt relieved.

This round was a sure thing.

Qin Sheng ignored the others and continued selecting.

For his second source stone, he chose one that looked quite standard, which made it difficult for others to criticize.

The third source stone was the most expensive one Qin Sheng bought, costing a full three thousand catties of Source.

It was a stone that was entirely green, covered in mottled marks as if washed by rainwater.

"A Green Rain Stone. This stone has been in the Four Symbols Stone Shop for many years, hasn't it?"

"Yes, it's said that when this stone was first excavated from the mine, many mine slaves died. There was blood all along the path of transport; it is extremely inauspicious."

"A Source Art expert once came to observe the Green Rain Stone and was tempted, but ultimately lacked certainty and had to give up."

"That expert once said that when this stone first formed, it most likely contained a treasure, but it likely underwent a mutation underground, and the treasure inside has been ruined by something indescribable."

"This kid from the Yaoguang Holy Land is truly taking a risky path. A Worm-Eaten Stone and a Green Rain Stone—he is truly unpredictable."

Amidst the discussions of the crowd, the three source stones chosen by Qin Sheng were moved to the cutting area.

The Worm-Eaten Stone was nine hundred catties of Source, the second was fifteen hundred, and the Green Rain Stone was three thousand. He had spent a total of five thousand four hundred catties of Source.

For a young man, this was a massive expenditure.

One must realize that this wasn't buying cultivation treasures; this was gambling on stones. The concepts were entirely different.

The former provides stable returns, while the latter could result in all one's Source being thrown down the drain.

Nangong Fang had also finished his selection. The three stones he chose were high-quality materials that conformed to public perception.

The stone shop master looked at Qin Sheng. "Which one shall we cut first?"

"Cut the Worm-Eaten Stone first. Follow my instructions."

Qin Sheng drew a circle on the Worm-Eaten Stone. "This part is the focus; be careful."

The master nodded, and with a strike of the blade, stone fragments cascaded down. Simultaneously, Nangong Fang's side also began cutting.

"A payout!"

Suddenly, a cry of surprise rang out. Everyone craned their necks to look at Nangong Fang's first stone.

The essence of heaven and earth flowed out from the stone, and a bright light bloomed. This was undoubtedly a sign that a Source lay within.

"As expected of a genius from the Nangong Clan!"

"A direct hit! Incredible!"

Facing the crowd's praise, Nangong Fang smiled slightly. It was just basic procedure.

Soon, the stone was split open.

"Uh, it's a Source of about fifty catties?"

"It's a bit small..."

"It doesn't matter, small is also cute."

Bai Heming's face stiffened. This stone had cost one thousand catties of Source, and it only yielded fifty catties of Source?

What a massive loss!

On the other side, the cutting of the Worm-Eaten Stone had reached the key area Qin Sheng had indicated.

A dazzling, multi-colored light pierced through the stone skin and burst forth. Many people who were illuminated felt a momentary trance, as if they had been hit by an illusion spell.

"What is this?!"

"I'm afraid something incredibly amazing has been cut out!"

The crowd was horrified.

The stone shop master became even more cautious. With the final strike, a palm-sized Source appeared. Most importantly, inside the Source was a tiny, seven-colored insect about the size of a pinky finger.

"Hiss, an Ancient Insect Source?"

An Ancient Insect Source is a type of Variant Source. Any Source that contains various insects within it can be classified as such.

Most of these insects originate from the Primordial Era and possess various miraculous functions.

"It really is an Ancient Insect Source. Its body is multi-colored and shakes the soul. Could it be the Seven-Colored Spirit-Awakening Insect?"

"That is a Primordial strange insect that feeds on Sources and absorbs the essence of heaven, earth, sun, moon, and the power of the five elements. It can temper the primordial spirit and enhance divine sense!"

Listening to the explanations from the passersby, Qin Sheng was stunned.

*Wait, don't you bystanders know a bit too much?*

He truly didn't know about the Seven-Colored Spirit-Awakening Insect; fortunately, the bystanders were providing commentary...

"A Worm-Eaten Stone actually yielded an Ancient Insect Source? Unbelievable."

"The Seven-Colored Spirit-Awakening Insect is the king of insects. Once those strange insects that bore through source stones discover it, they will retreat immediately, not daring to disturb it."

"Looking at its size, it's still a larva, but its minimum value is five thousand catties of Source!"

Exchanging a nine-hundred-catty source stone for an Ancient Insect Source of this value.

He had made a killing.

Qin Sheng also revealed a smile. Tempering the primordial spirit—this was a wonderful treasure.

He glanced at Bai Heming; the face of this Zifu-candidate Holy Son had already become quite unsightly.

The master began cutting Qin Sheng's second stone. Nangong Fang's second stone was almost finished.

Well, it was empty.

This was normal. Not to mention the juniors of Source Art clans, even if a Source Art Grandmaster were here, they couldn't guarantee a payout every single time.

When the second stone was cut to its center, a light even more dazzling than the previous Ancient Insect Source erupted.

There was no need to continue cutting; the stone layers peeled away automatically, and a golden sun rose into the air.

"It's a Divine Source!"

Someone shouted, the sound shaking the heavens and earth.

A Divine Source contains the most fundamental essence of heaven and earth, transformed from the most primal power at the beginning of creation.

It appeared like gas or liquid, and its aura compelled one to worship, as if truly facing a deity.

Barring external interference, a Divine Source would never fall.

That the second stone yielded a Divine Source was something even Qin Sheng had not expected. He only felt that the stone had hidden depth and various mysterious qualities, but he hadn't imagined it would be a Divine Source.

Qin Sheng immediately grabbed the Divine Source and tucked it away properly.

This Divine Source was the size of a fava bean. Don't think it was too small; even a grain-of-rice-sized Divine Source was a rare treasure.

Meanwhile, Zhou Siyang and the others' third stone had also been cut open, revealing a Variant Source of decent value.

But Qin Sheng didn't even need to cut his third stone; the value of the Ancient Insect Source and the Divine Source was something they couldn't hope to catch up to even if they were on horseback.

Qin Sheng looked at Zhou Siyang and the others with a brilliant smile.

"Is there even a need to discuss the result?"

"Don't get too cocky. The reputation of a Source Art clan cannot be insulted!"

Nangong Fang's expression was gloomy. He dropped a sentence and turned to leave immediately.

Zhou Siyang and Bai Heming wanted to follow, but they were blocked by Qin Sheng.

"Gentlemen, you haven't given me the Innate Purple Qi and the Green Yang Treasure Pill yet."

Qin Sheng said loudly, "Are you planning to default on your debt?"

"Hey, we saw your bet with our own eyes. You two little fellows, a man must keep his word."

The passersby spoke up one after another. How could Zhou Siyang and Bai Heming dare to default? They had no choice but to hand the winnings over to Qin Sheng.

Watching their retreating backs, Qin Sheng's smile faded.

A Source Art genius?

Genius is merely the threshold to meet me!

"Little brother, quick, quick, quick, cut the Green Rain Stone!"

"Child, how did you select your stones?"

"Young friend Qin, your Source Arts are so profound; could you be from the legendary and lost lineage of the Source Heaven Masters?"

"Young friend, are you selling your Ancient Insect Source and Divine Source? I am an Elder Supreme of the Ji Family; I will certainly give you a satisfactory price!"

The passersby surrounded Qin Sheng, acting with great fervor.

"Seniors, please move aside... Which shameless old hag is touching my Source?!"

Qin Sheng squeezed through the crowd and put away the Green Rain Stone.

"I am not certain about this stone and plan to take it back to cut it. I won't make a fool of myself here."

He had already stood out enough today; there was no need to add fuel to the fire.

"Little brother, that's not very fair."

"Brother Qin, can I call you Brother Qin? Just cut it here and let us enjoy the show."

"I'll die if I don't see the Green Rain Stone being cut! Don't leave!"

"..."

Qin Sheng struggled immensely to squeeze out of the group of elderly people and quickly moved away, feeling a lingering sense of dread.

These old folks had skin thicker than Duan De's. An honest, virtuous young man like him was completely out of place among them.